BOSTON – Emmanuel women's soccer earned one of its best results over the last 25 seasons, finishing in a 2-2 draw with the No. 15 Colby College Mules on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Clemente Field. In one of the rare regular-season games against a ranked opponent in team history, Emmanuel's 2-2 draw is the first non-loss result over a ranked team since at least 2000.
The draw moves the Saints to 1-1-1 this season, as the tie marked Emmanuel's Home Opener for the 2025 year. Colby goes to 1-0-1, earning the draw after a victory on Saturday against Bowdoin.
After a relatively quiet first half, the scoring started quickly in the second with the Saints getting on the board in the 47th minute. A long ball out of the back from senior Annebel Balogh de Galantha landed deep in the left offensive third and was chased down by senior Liz McCormick.
Controlling a bouncing ball, McCormick cut back onto her right foot and drove into the penalty area. From just inside the left side of the box, McCormick fired off a right-footed curling shot into the top, far-side corner, giving the Saints the lead.
The No. 15 Mules answered the challenge just 66 seconds later, thanks to a free kick deep in their offensive end. From just outside the left side of the penalty area, a cross into the box bounced freely to the foot of junior Abigail Jarvi, who tapped in a goal from close range, tying the match at 1-1.
Colby was back on the board in the 70th minute, taking their first lead of the afternoon. A left-footed cross into the area by first-year Amanda Schneider connected seamlessly with the head of senior Sophie DiGrande from six yards out. DiGrande's header was placed perfectly in the right side netting, giving Colby the lead.
But it was the Saints turn to answer the challenge in front of them by a top-15 team in Division III, as six minutes later, in the 76th minute, Emmanuel drew even with Colby.
A cross into the box deflected off Saints senior Sarah Dullaghan and directly into the path of sophomore Aleena Solano. From 20 yards out, Solano uncorked a right-footed blast into the same top-right corner that McCormick scored earlier in the second half, tying the match at 2-2.
The Mules had the only chance in the final 15 minutes to claim victory, but a long-distance try by Jarvi in the waning seconds was caught safely by Saints sophomore goalie Teigan Robie, preserving the 2-2 draw.
McCormick's 47th minute goal is the first of her season while Solano's tying tally gives her a team-high three goals through three games. Robie made three stops for the Saints in goal, moving to 1-1-1 this season.
Jarvi's goal for Colby gives her two tallies this year while DiGrande netted her first of the season in the 70th minute. Sophomore goalie Sadie Gardner made two stops for the Mules, moving to 1-0-1 this season in net.
The Saints take nearly a full week off before opening their conference schedule on Saturday, Sept. 13, welcoming Elms College to Clemente for a 3:00 p.m. match. The Mules will play their third game in four days on Tuesday, Sept. 9, hosting the University of Southern Maine at 4:30 p.m.
